Settling chamber or defoamer



NOV. 4, 1941. J HOLMES 2,261,518

SETTLING CHAMBER OR DEFOAMER Filed Feb. 28, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I M 50 M l5 J "H Y 29 64 l 44 54 AT TORNEY Patented Nov. 4, 1941 SETTLING CHAD/[BER OR DEFOAMER Michael Joseph Holmes, Windsor, Ontario, I

Cana

Application February 28, 1940, Serial No. 321,335

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in a settling chamber or defoamer for use in connection with dispensers of carbonated or noncarbonated beverages or liquids. Its primary object being to provide means to regulate the pressure of the liquid flowing therethrough from the storage container where the initial pressure is applied to the dispenser.

A further object of the device is to construct intake and outlet valves and valve mechanism within the chamber said valves and valve mechanism being operated by the level of the liquid within the chamber and the pressure therein.

A still further object of the settling chamber is to provide valve means causing intermittent flow of the liquid therethrough thus permitting the settling process to take place and consequently the corresponding defoaming process.

With these and other objects in View that may appear while the description proceeds the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically set forth, claimed and shown in the ac companying drawings forming part of this application and in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation showing the interior mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a constructional detail of the valve operating mechanism.

Referring more in detail to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views it will be seen the invention consists of a cylindrical casing l0, having a permanent bottom end closure I I, with a threaded outlet l2, formed therein. The upper end is provided with a collar l3 having lugs l4 formed thereon. An upper closure cap is arranged to be attached thereto by corresponding lugs l3 and bolts H. A rubber diaphragm I8, is secured between the collar I3 and the cap IS. A cylindrical recess I9, is formed on the cap and houses a coil spring 20, having bearing discs 2|, at each end thereof. A tension screw 22, engages the upper disc through a threaded aperture in the top of the cylindrical recess I9, by means of which the spring tension is regulated. A bearing collar 23, is en gaged by the lower disc 2|, and which in turn engages the diaphragm l8. The said diaphragm is clamped thereto by a nut 24, on a threaded stud 25, which is secured centrally in the said bearing collar.

A lever arm 26, is connected to the threaded stud 25, by a clevis 21, and to the intake valve 28, by a pair of connecting links 29. The end of the arm is anchored in ,a post 30, supported in a cross bar 3|, positioned diametrically in the casing 10. Thus the vertical movement of the diaphragm is transferred to the valve causing the valve face 32, to move to or from the valve seat 33, thereby controlling the how of liquid into the casing through the intake 34.

An air exhaust valve is provided and is constructed in the cross bar 3| diametrically opposite to the intake valve. This is controlled by a, level float 35, said float being bell shaped and open at the bottom. It is adjustably mounted on a, rod 36 arranged to move vertically through a guide aperture 31, in the cross bar. A lever arm 38, is connected to the top thereof, which is in turn connected to the exhaust valve 40. The arm 38, is anchored to a post 4| supported in the cross bar 3|, thus the vertical movement of the float which is actuated by the level of the liquid contents of the chamber causes the valve face 42, to move to or from the valve seat 43, thereby controlling the exhaust of the air from the chamber through the air exhaust port 44.

The operation is as follows: When the liquid is drawn from the outlet the float is lowered in the chamber which causes the exhaust valve to open permitting the gas or air to escape. This reduces the pressure in the chamber and the diaphragm is then actuated by the spring tension. This in turn actuates the liquid intake valve to open, permitting liquid to enter the chamber. As the liquid reaches a predetermined level the float rises and causes the air exhaust valve to close. The pressure of the air or gas then builds up and raises the diaphragm against the pressure of the spring and thereby closes the intake valve through the medium of the connecting mechanism.

The construction of the device lends itself to ease of maintenance such as replacement of valve seats which will naturally wear with usage. All the mechanism is supported on the cap and on the cross bar. The cap as previously explained may be removed by the removal of the holding bolts while the cross bar may be withdrawn through the top after the intake and exhaust nipples have been removed. These are threaded through the wall of the casing into the ends of the cross bar in an air tight manner to securely holdthe cross bar and valve mechanism in position.

It is believed that the construction and ad.-

vantages of the structure shown may be apparent from the foregoing paragraphs taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings without further detailed description.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed it is understood that minor changes in the details of construction, combination and arrangement of cooperating parts may be resorted to within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In an automatic settling chamber comprising a tank having a discharge port, a cross bar intermediate the length of said tank having inlet and outlet passages in opposite ends communicating with inlet and outlet ports in the sides of the tank, an intake valve mounted in said inlet passage, leverage mechanism mounted on said cross bar for operating said intake valve, a pressure operated diaphragm at the upper end of said tank operatively connected with said leverage mechanism for controlling the same, an exhaust valve mounted in said outlet passage, and a float controlled leverage mechanism mounted on said cross bar for operating said exhaust valve.

2. In an automatic settling chamber comprising a tank having a discharge port at its lower end and diametrically opposed inlet and outlet ports intermediate the lengths of said tank, a cross bar extending between said inlet and outlet ports having inlet and outlet passages communicating with said ports, respectively, an exhaust valve mounted in said outlet passage, leverage means mounted on said cross bar for opening and closing said exhaust valve, 2, reciprocating rod extending vertically through said cross bar having connection at one end with said leverage means, a float secured on the lower end of said rod actuated by the rise and fall of liquid in said tank to reciprocate said rod to operate said leverage means, an intake valve mounted in said inlet passage, leverage means mounted on said cross bar for opening and closing said intake valve, a flexible diaphragm covering the upper end of said tank, a cover secured on top of said tank in clamping engagement with the marginal edge of said diaphragm, a spring between said cover and diaphragm for exerting a downward pressure on said diaphragm, and a stem depending from said diaphragm and connected with the leverage means of said intake valve whereby the diaphragm controls the opening and closing of said intake valve.

MICHAEL JOSEPH HOLMES. 

